The Future of Consumerist

Over the last twelve years, Consumerist has been a steadfast proponent and voice on behalf of consumers, from exposing shady practices by secretive cable companies to pushing for action against dodgy payday lenders. Now, we’re joining forces with Consumer Reports, our parent organization, to cultivate the next generation of consumer advocacy.

Stay tuned as Consumerist’s current and future content finds its home as a part of the Consumer Reports brand. In the meantime, you can access existing Consumerist content below, and we encourage you to visit Consumer Reports to read the latest consumer news.

If you want to make lots of money selling “Big Ben’s Beef Jerky” you’re going to have to behave like a gentleman, Mr. Roethlisberger. Today the owner of Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, Inc., said he was terminating his five-year business relationship with the Steelers’ QB.

The decision comes as the quarterback is meeting with the commissioner of the NFL to discuss a possible suspension after a Georgia district attorney announced that they would drop sexual assault charges.

“We’ve made a lot of money together,” the company owner said in a telephone interview with the NYT. “I’m leaving a lot on the table by terminating this contract. Even though there were no criminal charges, there are just enough issues here that it’s in the best interests of PLB Sports to break ties.”

“I can’t imagine anyone touching Ben Roethlisberger,” he continued. “Enough is enough. I hope there is a suspension. At some point in time, Ben has got to put himself in the right position and understand what it means to be a celebrity, a quarterback, a Steelers player.”

“Our relationship is not any good,” Bradshaw told reporters, according to a video linked from http://www.ktbs.com . “When I told him to park the motorcycle, he got pissed. Then he had the accident, and since then he doesn’t like me, and I’m learning not to like him.”

Then later to FoxSports:

“Ben has been unhappy with me ever since I told him to park the bike. Then, when he had the accident, everyone told him that, ‘See, Terry was right about that motorcycle.’ He doesn’t like me. The last time I was around him he wouldn’t even shake my hand.”